Obama Administration Jobs: AP Lists Names Of Top Candidates

President-elect Obama is weighing an array of Washington insiders and outsiders, including some Republicans, for top administration posts, according to Democratic officials.

Obama has signaled that he will make no Cabinet-level appointments immediately, and his deliberations are tightly held by his closest aides. But that hasn't stopped Democrats and interest groups from circulating lists and offering recommendations to the Obama transition team.

Some are surprising, such as former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell as possible education secretary. Others are high-profile governors or members of Congress. Yet many are also little known to the general public _ and may remain so.

Obama has less than 11 weeks to staff his new administration. Some names often mentioned as possible appointees to top posts:

DEFENSE SECRETARY

Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

Former Navy Secretary Richard Danzig.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., critic of Iraq war, retiring from Senate.

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., member of Senate Armed Services Committee.

TREASURY SECRETARY

Timothy Geithner, president of Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker.

Lawrence Summers, former treasury secretary and one-time Harvard University president.

SECRETARY OF STATE

Gov. Bill Richardson, D-N.M., former U.N. ambassador and energy secretary.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., 2004 presidential nominee.

Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., former chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., critic of Iraq war, retiring from Senate.

Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Eric Holder, former deputy attorney general.

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano.

Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala., member of House Judiciary Committee.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, former assistant U.S. attorney for civil rights.

ENERGY SECRETARY

Former Rep. Philip Sharp, D-Ind., president of Resources for the Future think tank.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

EPA ADMINISTRATOR

Lisa P. Jackson, commissioner of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Mary Nichols, head of California Air Resources Board.

Kathleeen McGinty, former secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.

Howard Dean, chairman of Democratic National Committee, physician, former Vermont governor.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY

Jane Garvey, former head of Federal Aviation Administration.

Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of House transportation committee.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore.

Mortimer Downey, former deputy transportation secretary.

INTERIOR SECRETARY

Former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Former Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles.

Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., former executive director of Colorado Natural Resources Department.

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY

James Lee Witt, former FEMA director.

Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton.

Former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean, chairman of 9/11 commission.

Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., chairwoman of Homeland Security intelligence subcommittee.

NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER

James B. Steinberg, former deputy national security adviser.

Susan Rice, former assistant secretary of state for African affairs.

EDUCATION SECRETARY

Colin Powell, former secretary of state, former chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt.

Arne Duncan, chief executive officer of Chicago public schools.

Inez Tenenbaum, former South Carolina schools superintendent.

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack.

Tom Buis, president of National Farmers Union.

Former Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas.

OFFICE OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Rep. John Spratt Jr., D-S.C., chairman of House Budget Committee.

Gene Sperling, economic aide to President Clinton.

Jason Furman, Obama's campaign economic policy director.

Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Tenn.

HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY

Valerie Jarrett, Obama friend, chairman and CEO of Habitat Co.

Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.

LABOR SECRETARY

Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of House Education and Labor Committee.

Former Rep. David Bonior, member of Obama's Transition Economic Advisory Board.

Andy Stern, president of Service Employees International Union.

Comments

[Prism]

09:09 PM on 11/10/2008

Hillary for Secretary of State. The world was way ahead of the curve in giving the Clintons the credit they deserve as world-class leaders/thinkers. unfortunately America is still playing catch-up. Isn't it time we saw what the inarguably brilliant Hillary can do on the world stage? She's STILL the smartest "guy" in the room. Obama would reveal brass cajones in giving the dame her due!

[FilipeCastro]

11:44 AM on 11/09/2008

I cannot believe that Jason 'I love walmart' Furman is in this list!!

[mergina]

09:59 AM on 11/09/2008

Do you think we FINALLY have a president that will put MAJOR pressure on countries and their governements that turn a blind eye, OR PARTICIPATE IN AND PROFIT FROM Human Trafficking? There is not a country on this planet that does not suffer from this wretched human condition. It runs rampant in many parts of the world. All over Eastern Europe, their children, especially girls and woman, are kidnapped or duped into a life of sex slavery in other parts of the world. It is Moldovas MAJOR SOURCE OF INCOME for the scum who traffic these lost souls as well as most members of their corrupt government. America, yes that is right, America is one of the highest on the list for RECEIVING those trafficked for sex slavery. So, do you think we FINALLY have a president that will assign someone, PREFERABLY SOMEONE WHO SHOWS NO MERCY, to this growing pestilence of our fellow man?

[dizzypdx]

08:52 AM on 11/09/2008

Rep. Earl Blumenauer is a pretty good candidate. As a former member of his district (I moved across town into Wu territory), I have to say he'll be good. All the experiences I've had with his policies about transportation are good. He's got a good head on his shoulders.

Gov. John Kitzhaber is a natural. Come on, he's from Oregon for crying out loud and one of our best governors. We've always done everything we can in conservation, and Gov. Kitzhaber knows how to balance things. He's also really nice. He made calls for Kerry out of an office near mine during 2004.

I support Gov. Bill Richardson. Inspiring the US and inspiring the world are different. Our social climate is nothing like the rest of the world, and right now we need to mend that relationship. I believe Gov. Richardson can do it. He has negotiated prisoner release with North Korea and in Sudan, among other things. He's been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times. He has so much more experience that I can't go into because I've already been awake for 36 hours and am about to crash. His appointment will show the world that not only can America elect an African-American president, we can have a Mexican Secretary of State. Obama has shattered the highest ceilling; his cabinet has opportunity to destroy the rest.

[keepemhonest]

01:48 AM on 11/09/2008

I hope he picks

Defense: Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.
Treasury: Summers
Sec. of State: Bill Richards
Atty. General: David Iglesias - fired as U.S. attorney thanks partly to his reluctance to pursue voter-fraud cases as aggressively as DOJ wanted
Energy Sec. Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
EPA Admin.: Al Gore
Health & Human Services: ??
Transportation Sec.:??
Interior Sec:??
Homeland Security: Condi Rice
National Security Adv. Susan Rice
Education Sec.: Colin Powell
Agi. Sec.: ??
Budget & Management Director: Warren Buffet
HUD: Val Jarrett
Labor Sec.: Rep. Bonior
Sent to live at sea for 10 years: Joe Lieberman

[MidwestCivility]

03:02 AM on 11/09/2008

Governor Sibelius vetoed the construction of a coal fired power plant in Western Kansas in 2008. Closer examination will prove that her policy caused actual impediment and damage toward the success of clean environmentally friendly wind energy technology.

Three physical attributes are required for the success of commercial wind energy. A steady source of wind, a wind turbine cluster, and a transmission line. Western Kansas has the forth highest wind potential geographically in the US. This area is ideal for enormously large areas of wind turbines. The flat topology and low population density compliment investment in wind technology with low construction cost. The largest obstacle in the success is the availability of an accommodating transmission line for distribution of the generated wind produced energy.

The proposed builder of the coal fired power plant was committed to the construction of the power plant, and transmission line. This transmission system would have served as a catalyst for investment into wind technology. The plant investors were committed to building the power plant with the best available technology to reduce the release of green house gases beyond all standard requirements. In spite of the enormous benefit to the Kansas economy and the beneficial catalyst needed for production of wind energy technology, Governor Sibelius vetoed the project.

Her veto did more harm to the environmental cause than it did good. Now President Obama will reward this type of narrow economic comprehension? Is this the type of "Change" America can look forward too? iscientiausa.com

[Vinca]

07:45 AM on 11/09/2008

I'VE BEEN ANGRY AY JOHN KERRY< EVER SINCE< HE CONCEDED SOOOO FAST< AND I HOPE HE DOESN'T GET THE SEC OF STATE JOB , HE WANTS, DAVID IGLESIAS< MIGHT BE GOOD FOR THAT JOB< AT LEAST GIVE IGLESIAS A JOB

[Carolab]

01:23 AM on 11/09/2008

Can all of the fired U.S. Attorneys now have their jobs back? I miss Iglesias.

Also, where is Gore's name? He said he would be part of this administration but couldn't say what yet. Energy Secretary would be good. And I thought RFK Jr. was up for EPA.

[astheworldturns]

03:20 AM on 11/09/2008

They are all republicans. Not that some of them wouldn't be okay, but you just don't make sense.

[Ivar]

11:37 PM on 11/08/2008

I see the list of things Obama is going to change and I want to stand up and shout. George, the dictator, is gone thank god. We need to pray for Obama.

[framingtheissues]

11:33 PM on 11/08/2008

I would like to see Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick, offered the Attorney General position. It would be great to have an Attorney General with a background in Civil Rights, considering all the damage that has been done to the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department over the past eight year.

[Hawka]

10:09 PM on 11/08/2008

Probably not going to happen, Al's repeated that he doesn't want to get back into politics a lot even back during the primaries. Collin's probably on the same mind, so we'll have to put them on the low end of the likely list much as I would have liked to put them at the front.

[sandrarita]

09:53 PM on 11/08/2008

I'd like to see Al Gore head of Department of Interior or EPA.

[Hawka]

09:52 PM on 11/08/2008

Arggh, are the far left feminist extremist still at it? For pete's sake, they could be wearing a tutu for all I care, I just want Obama to pick the most capable individuals that can and will get the job done no matter who they are, and I'm glad to see he's making headway on that already.

[astheworldturns]

03:22 AM on 11/09/2008

One still has to have the correct philsophy. Capable of what?

[amirtalai]

09:23 PM on 11/08/2008

robert reich for Labor Secretary! He's one of the most original and experienced thinkers in the country, not t mention he was Clinton's Labor Sec at a time when millions of new jobs were created.

[bobilore]

09:20 PM on 11/08/2008

My biggest concern in the cabinet is Sec'y of State and without question the best person for the job at this time is Gen. Wesley Clark. He has that rare combination of great intelligence (Rhodes scholar, graduated FIRST in his class at West Point), extensive military experience (four-star general), excellent diplomatic skills that have been tested on the world stage (Supreme Allied Commander of NATO), and a progressive aproach to resolving global conflicts who has campaigned tirelessly for Democrats around the country. I wish smart people in the media like Arianna Huffington would start
mentioning him and fast.

Also, RFK Jr. at EPA!!!!!
and what about Al Gore at Energy?

[DCtrain]

09:18 PM on 11/08/2008

I hope that the Obama team reads these comments.

John Kerry is a fine person, but not very inspiring.
Bill Richardson is also fine person, but also not very inspiring.

Two big names, that I hope would not be in power.

I think Chuck Hagel for Defense, and Colin Powel for NSA.
State department, not sure, should be someone who has international respect and has
international relationships. I don't know if Sam Nunn is still at that stature, but he
would be a good choice. I would be comfortable with whomever, Obama, Colin, Bill Clinton
and Jimmy Carter would endorse.

I would like others to weigh in on Kerry and Richardson. Personally, I am not too excited about either one of them.

[keepemhonest]

01:49 AM on 11/09/2008

Richardson is AWESOME AND INSPIRING. Brilliant man

[nogimmicks]

08:31 PM on 11/08/2008

My choices from the choices above (needed to be expanded).
DEFENSE SECRETARY. Richard Lugar of Chuck Hagel
TREASURY SECRETARy: Paul Volcker.
SECRETARY OF STATE Chuck Hagel or HIllary Clinton.
ATTORNEY GENERAL Deval Patrick
ENERGY SECRETARY:Kathleen Sebelius.
EPA ADMINISTRATOR; Mary Nichols,
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: Howard Dean
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY Jane Garvey
INTERIOR SECRETARY: Tony Knowles.
HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Patrick Leahy or Colin Powell
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: Amb. Wilson or Jim Webb.
EDUCATION SECRETARY: Hillary Clinton or Harold Varmus (former NIH head).
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY: Tom Vilsack
OFFICE OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR Valerie Jarrett,

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

08:33 PM on 11/08/2008

Curious. Why do so many like Deval Patrick for AG? State your case

[RJII]

08:48 PM on 11/08/2008

I would like to see a general as Secretary of Defense, maybe a Wesley Clark.

[ErnestofArnold]

09:47 PM on 11/08/2008

These are all good picks. I really don't think it's realistic to think Colin Powell is going to come back into government although he will be around as an adviser. I also think Obama isn't going to tap any sitting Democratic Senators for posts as Hillary Clinton recommended that he not do. But here are some other considerations including those from another "poster" "Intelligentia" out there (he/she had some good recommendations too).

Dr. Howard Dean for Health & Human Service along with these others:

Dr. Susan Rice - Secretary of State
Chuck Hagel - Secretary of Defense
Gen Wes Clark (Retired) - Homeland Security
(John) Chris Inglis - Director of National Intelligence
Jesse Jackson Jr - EEOC
Harold Ford Jr. - Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Kaine - Attorney General
Lt. Gen Russell Honore (Retired) - Director of FEMA
Tom Daschle - Secretary of the Interior
Dr. Nancy Grasmick (State Superintendent of Schools, Maryland) Secretary of Education
General Eric Shinseki (Retired) - National Security Advisor
Gov Kathleen Sabines - Secretary of HUD
Caroline Kennedy - UN Ambassador
RFK Jr. - Director EPA
Michael Powell - Secretary of Transportation
Debbie Wasserman Shultz - White House Counsel